Machine for placing cork disks in caps



July 27 1926.

C. J. ROHLAND MACHINE FOR PLACING CORK DISKS IN CAPS s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed August 6 1925 C. J. ROHLAND MACHINE FOR PLACING CORK DISKS IN CAPS July 27 1926.

.Filed August 6. 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 27 1926.

C. J. ROH LAND MACHINE FOR PLACING CORK DISKS IN CAPS 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed August 6, 1925 C. J. ROHLAND MACHINE FOR PLACING CORK DISKS IN GAPS July 27,1926. 1,594,327

Filed August 6. 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet-4 1,594,327 c. J. ROHLAND I meant: FOR PLACI-NG'CORK'DISKS IN fins July 27,1926.

lllllllll Hll l July 27 1926.

- c. J. ROHLAND mourns FOR PLACING CORK DIS-KS IN CAPS Filed August a. 1925 e Sheets-Sheet a fjwventoz c. J. ROHLAND MACHINE FOR PLACING CORK'DISKS IN CAPS I Filed Angust 1925 v -8 SheetsSheet 7 9 1:122-

Patented July 27, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,594,327 PATENT OFFICE.

GURT J. BOHIIAND, F SEEKONK, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 NATIONAL COLLAPS- IBLE TUBE 00., 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

MACHINE FOR PLACING CORK DISKS IN CAPS.

Application filed. August 6, 1925. Serial No. 48,535.

ing cork disks in caps, pertaining more particularly to the caps of collapsible tubes in which are marketed different pastes, the

ale

primary object of the invention being to provide an automatic machine for inserting the cork disks in the caps and grooving the latter to receive a retaining wire or hinge 100p;

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine in which the proper feeding of the, caps and cork disks, which are dumped into respective hoppers, is insured so that the disk may be inserted in the cap.

The invention further resides in the provision of means for ejecting or segregating any improperly positioned caps from the machine.

The invention still further resides in improved mechanism for grooving the skirt of a cap to receive the loop of a hinged cap retaining device.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for transferring a corked cap from the corking mechanism to the grooving mechanism.

Further, the invention is found to reside in the salient features of construction and the arrangements and combination of parts hereinafter described in detail and succinctly set forth in the appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine with portions broken away;-

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof with parts omitted;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure l but taken at a lower plane and showing the clutch I'IIQChfLIllSIIl in section;

Figure 1 is a vertical section on line 1- of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear view illustrating the cam shaft and the associated parts;

Figure 6 is a similar View of the front of the machine; 1

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 8, showing the cork inserting mechanism. v Figure 8 is a side elevation thereof show ing also the relative position of the grip er jaws and a fragment of the grooving mesa 1 13111.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a machine for plac- Figure 9 is asimilar view showing more clearly the cork and cap chutes;

Figure .10 is a fragmentary view of the cap-hopper, depicting the manner in which a cap is ejected from its chute.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of the cap hopper and Figure 12 and Figure 13 are detailed cross-sectional views of the two chutes on lines 1212 and 1313, respectively of Figure 9.

In collapsible tubes containing tooth paste, shaving cream and other bodies of pasty constituency, the inner top surface of the cap is usually screwed down into contact with the discharge orifice or neck of the tube, and to prevent any undesirable action which the acids of the paste may have on the metal of the cap, and also to insure cleanliness, a liner, or washer is inserted in the cap, the liner being preferably of cork or fiber. Means are also provided for preventing loss of the cap by encircling a wire about the cap in a groove formed therein and hinging the wire to the body of the tube.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a machine which will automatically perform the corking and grooving operation on the cap. 1

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the cap hopper having therein an intermittently rotatable, agitator 2- of dome-shape and defining there with an annular channel 3 which is closed by the bottom 41 of the hopper except for a discharge opening 5 from which leads a magazine chute 6. The agitator 2 is fixed on the upper end of a vertical shaft 7 journaled in the bearing 8 of the frame 9, and on the lower end of the shaft is fixed a large bevel gear 10 and a spur gear 11. The bevel gear 10 meshes with a bevel gear 12 fixed on one end of a horizontally disposed shaft, the opposite end of the latter carrying a ratchet 13 which is given intermittent rotary movement by the pawl let. The pawl is oscillated from the shaft 15 through the intermediary of a cam on the shaft and the link 16.

A cork hopper 17 is mounted ad acent the cap hopper and likewise has an agitator which is intermittently operated from the shaft 7 by means of gears 11 18 and 19, the latter being fired the s aftthe agitator. The little cork disks which are to be inserted inside of the caps are delivered from the hopper 17 to a positioning or transfer slide 21 by means of a magazine chute 22, the latter terininatingadjacent the lower end of the chute 6.

The slide 21 is provided "with 'alpocket 23 for receiving the cork disks singly from the chute 22 and positioningthe same opposite the open end of the lowermost one of the caps 24- in chute 6 "for being pushed or pressed thereinto by the plungerv 25 which is slid'ably mounted in the guide opening 26 p'rovided'iu the'slide 21 axially ofthepocket 23. The inserting pin 25 is held in retracted position by aspring 27 in which position the outer end of the pin normally engages one end of alever 28, the opposite end of said lever being disp sed to engage stop "arm 29. Lever 28 is'pivoted'at 30 on a main slide 31 which also carries theslide 21 and spring 27. The main slide is-dlsposed a lower level than slide 21 and is provided "with a pocket 82 for sliding beneath the lower end of chute 6to rece've the corklined cap therefrom andcarry the same to 'apoint beneath a pair of gripping jaws The main slide 31 has a 'base' 34: which is guided for horizontal movement-in the frame, such horizontal "movement being imparted theretoby a r'ocker lever'35. This lever is pivotally"niounted-in the framegas at- 36,- and has its ufpperend bifurcated to straddlea cross pin 37 in the base 8 lsaid upper end oper- -ating in the slot 38 in said' oase.

This lever arm is rocked by a cam 39 "on shaft'lo, through afollower lever a l) and a connecting link e1.

'lhe lined cap is removed from its pocket by the gripping aws 33 whlch descend into the pocket and'yiel'dably close upon the cap by reason of the spring l2 acting outwnrdlyon the ends of the gaws on the opposite side of their pivots These pivots 'niount the jaws on acarrier l l"which is slida-bly mounted for vertical movement 111 a guide A lever 46 is' fulcrnmed :at 47 ona bracket}48 of the frame; the outer end ofsaid lever carrying an upwardly yielcb "able tip 19 which is pivotally connected thereto, -at 50, and 1 adjustable relatively thereto by a set screw 51;the outer end of said yi'e'ldable section '49 being slotted to receive? the pin projectingi laterally from the carrier 49L," thereby 1 providing a splay connection.

Afollower roller 53 -rides on cam 54 of shaft 15 for imparting vertical reciprocation to the carrier fl-4. The pocket 32 11:15; its bottom formed: with spaced'slots 55 to permit the jaws 33 to properly pass about the caowhich is' supported in the pocke hoiivm-ni-tlie' slots After the jaws 33 lift the linedor corked cap fronr pocket"32,' the slide 31 is witlr' dra an to receive another-cap from chute 6 spindle or pusher pin 61 which is yieldably mounted inhsup'port 62, the latter being slidably guided in the bearing 63. The pusher pin-is urged forwardly by a pair of coiled springs 64 anchored respectively to the frame and the outer end of the pin,-the

latter being retracted by means of a lever 65 pivoted at 66 to the fraineand acted upon by cam 67 on shaft 15. The active end of this lever is provided with ayi-eldable forked tip 68 pivoted thereto and adjustable by .t

a set screw 69 to properly adjustthe fork O which straddles the I opposite protruding end of pin 71. *The'pusher pin'61 is yieldahly backed in itssupport 62 by a coiled spring .72. In its operative position, the

pin 61 is "steadied 'byra guide 73.

Following the placement of the cap, in the chuck, the skirt of the cap is grooved eX- teriorly to receive the bail or loop of a re taining wire. This operation is performed byapair of cutting bars 7 1" and -the lat- .ter beingsmounted in 'a'holder 76 on'a slidable carrier 7'? which is provided with a follower roller 3Z8 journaled in a bracket 79, the =lattertbe1ng ad ustable on the carrier bya jam screw 80'and' a set screw 81 whereby the position of follower 78 may be adjusted relative to its actuating cam 82 on shaft-15. :Set-screw 88 engages the opposite sides ofthe rearend of cutter bar 75 to steady the saine ;in its adjusted position. The carrier ?7 is slidable between spaced guides 84 and'is held in=retracted position by coil spring 85. The cutting or grooving bar 7 1 is mounted in'a carrier 86 slidably mounted in theifraine and isrreciprocated to and from operative position by lever 87 which has its upper forked end engaging a lateral-pin 88 on the slide '86, the lower end of thelever 87 being connected by link 89 to an actuatinglever 90 which, in turn, is pivoted on. the:frame-91-and has an adj ustable tip 92 engaging and following cam 93 r on shaft 15.

After. the cap :has been {grooved and i the grooving bars 74 and 75 retracted from the pusher pin 61, .whichalso serves as a spin dle or journal support for the cap while "being rotated by the chuck, is also retracted r and 'the cap is then ejected from 1 the chuck by a pin 94 which is yieldably urged forwardly by Fit coiled spring 95 the tension of ill) tension of a heavier spring 97.

The compressing movement of the housing 96 is effected by cam 98 on shaft 15, which act upon one end of a lever 99 pivoted at 100 to the frame the opposite end of the lever having an adjustable or yieldable, forked tip 101 straddling a collar 102 for reciprocating the housing without restricting its rotary movement.

In operation, the caps are dumped into hopper 1 and the liner disks of cork, paper or the like, are dumped into the smaller hopper 17. The machine is then set in motion thereby intermittently moving the agitators 2 and 18 in the respective hoppers,

from the spheroidal surfaces of which the caps and disks slide into the respective grooves 3 and 103, resting on their edges or peripheries. The liner disks will be rolled about the groove 103 on their peripheries until they drop into the chute 22, the guide way of which is overhung by a retainer plate 10%, as depicted in liigure 9 and Figure 13. The caps are likewise rolled about on their peripheries in channel 3 until they fall into the discharge opening 5 leading to chute 6. In this connection it will be observed that the guideway of chute 6 is substantially T-shape, or conforms to the shape of the cap. The caps will therefore be guided and held in proper position as they descend the chute, with their open or skirted ends outwardly. Should a cap enter the chute with its closed or head end out it will be deflected by reason of the deflecting guide ways 105 being cut in the opposing walls of the stem portion of the i -shaped guide way. These detecting guide ways 105 will receive the heads of wrongly positioned caps and deflect them out of the chute as indicated at 106, Figure 10. It is also possible that the caps might jam in the channel 3 and to overcome injurious effects therefrom the finger 107, which propels the caps around said channel, is pivoted at 108 in the agitating dome 2 and. yieldably pressed out into the channel byspring 109 which permits the propelling finger to pass by a jam of caps in safety.

With the compound. slide 211. and 31 in retracted position a previously lined cap will drop into the pocket 32 and the lowermost liner disk 110 will drop into pocket 23 after which the compound slide will be shifted from the position in Figure 9 to that of Figures 7 and 8 which places the liner opposite the lower-most cap in chute 6, which cap is held from lower descent by the upper surface of slide 31 passing there'liieneath. As the compound slide approaches its limit of movement the lever 28 engages stop 29 and, by reason of the cam shape of the engaged ends of said lever 28, the liner-inserting pin 25 is quickly moved inwardly to press the liner disk into the skirted end of the cap. The previously lined cap, now in the extended pocket 32, is grasped by the. jaws for subsequent lowering after the retraction of the compound slide. The lowering'of carrier 4% positions the cap in aws 83, opposite the chuck 59 into which latter the cap is inserted by the pusherpin 61, said pusher pin remaining in this position to act as a journal support or hearing while the grooving tools 7 1 and co-act upon the skirted portion of the cap.

This operation having been accomplished the parts 01, Yet and T5 are retracted and the tension of spring 95 is increased by cam 98 to expel the finished cap from the chuck into a suitable receptacle, not shown.

It will thus be observed that the complete cap-lining operation is performed automatically and without requiring the constant attention of an operator, the caps and disks being dumped promiscuously into their re spective hoppers from which they are fed in proper position for subsequent corelation, the improperly placed caps'being ejected into a suitable receptacle, not shown, for again being dumped into the hopper.

Raving thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Tn a machine of the class described, means for inserting a liner disk in a cap, means for grooving the cap, and means for transferring the lined cap from the first means to the second means, said transfer means comprising cap gripping elements, a carrier supporting the elements, and means for moving the carrier from a position for gripping the cap in said first means and delivering the same to be received by said second means. i

2. In a machine of the class described, a cap feeding means, liner feeding means, means for taking a liner from the second means and positioning the same opposite the open end of cap in the first means, means for pushing the liner from the positioning means into the cap, means for removing the lined cap, and means for grooving the cap removed.

.ln a machine of the class described, mechanism for lining a cap, mechanism for grooving a cap, a transfer carrier movable from a position adjacent the lining mecha nism to a position adjacent the grooving mechanism, and means for entering the cap in the transfer carrier and moving it to the grooving mechanism, said means remaining in the cap while being grooved to serve as a spindle bearing therefor.

4t. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for lining a cap, mechanism for grooving a cap, a transfer carrier movable from a position adjacent the lining mocha ,th-eliner chute and positioning it opposite 'nism to :a position adjacent the grooving imechanism means for entering 'the cap in the transfer carrier end moving it "to the grooving :meehanism said means remaining in the cap While'beingitgro'oved'to 'servens a spindle bearing therefor, and oppositely disposed grooving tools movable into contact with diametrically opposite points of "the 1 cap.

5.111 a machine of the class described,

'mechanismfior lining a cap,:mechanism for grooving a cap, 'atransfer carrier movable from a position adjacentthe lining mechanism to a @position .:adjacent :the grooving :mechanism, lieens for entering the cap-in the transfer carrier and moving it to the grooving mechanism said means remaining in the cap \rvhile being grooved to serveas a spindle .bearin'gtherefor, and oppositely rdisposed grooving tools movable into contact :ivith diametrically opposite points of the cap, andmeans for ejecting the grooved cap :from :the grooving mechanism.

6. In "a machine of the class described, ace-p hopperpeeliner liopper, an-agitator in ieach hopper, e .chute leading from each "hopper itt'or :feedingthe elements therefrom means dor intermittently 1 rotating the agilliflh'Ol and means foriinserting :a liner into cap.

7. In a machine of the class described, :aicap hopper, a lineivhopper, anagitetor in each hopper, :a chute leading from each thopper for feeding the elements therefrom,

:EL'SllClG having azpocket for receivingsa liner lelementafromitheiliner chute and positioning it opposite the openiendof the cap,v-and a pusher pinslidable inthe slide for ecting \the liner-element from the pocket and: pushing itxinto the. cap.

"-8. In a machine of vthe class described, a cap hopper, a liner hopper,anagitatorin each hopper aichnte leadingfrom eachhopper for ifeeding the elements there'from a slide having a pocket iforreceiving a hner element from the liner chute and positioning itopposite the open end ofthe cap,a pusher pin slidableinltheslide for ejectingthe liner element from thepocket 'and pushingit into movement of the slide for operating the pusher pin.

9. T1111 a machine of the class described, :1 cup hopper, a diner hopper, an agi- 'tator in each hopper, a chute lead ing "from "each hopper for feeding the elements therefrom, a slide having a pocket for receiving a liner element from the openiend otthe' cap, apusher pin slidable in the slidedorejectingthe liner eleincnt vfrom :the a pocket and pushing "it :into 'the cap, means operable by and during movement of the *slide for operating the pusher ;pin, a second slidezhaving e pocket incense? :for receiving-the lined cap, said second slide jpocket hating spaced bottom-openings betn'een'which the cap is supported-and a pair of javsmovable;intothese-00nd slide pocket,

pern'iittedby :the bottomeopening receivingthe tips of the jaws for grasping-the cap therein.

1.0. in a [machine of the class described, a cap hopper, a liner hoppexgmn agitator in each hopper, a chute leading -:t'rom each hopper for feeding 'lhQ elements therefrom, asli'de havingga pocket ifor receiving a liner element from. the liner chute and positioning it opposite the open end 'ofwtheicap, a pusher pin-slfideble in the slide'i or ejecting (the ,liner element from the pocketgandgpnshingit'into the-cap, :means operable by and 1duringmovement o'lthe slides for operating the pusher pin, a second slide :having a pocket forwrecciving the lined cap, a chuck,-

meansxfor removingathe cap rfrom the second slide pocket "and positioning :it opposite the chuck means'forpositioning the capin the chuck andunca-ns operating onithe cap in the chuck.

111. In e machine Ofthe class described, -'a cap hopper, aliner hopper aniagitator in each hopper, a chute :leading from each I hopper iior ifeedingithe elements therefrom, za-slideihaving a pocket for receivingn liner element fromthe Sliner chute and-positioning it opposite the open' end of thecep a pusher'pinslidable inthe slide for ejecting 'the liner element from the pocket andpush- =ing'it :into the cap, means operable by and -'duringmovement of the slide for operating .the .pus'her pin, a second slide i-having a pocket for receiving the-lined cap, a chuck, .means-ifor.removing the cap from the second slide pocket and positioningit opposite the .cliuck, a bearing spindle movable axially ofzthe chuck-for pushing the cap from the vcap removing uneans into the chuck, and means :l'toroperating 011' the cap inthe chuck.

'12. In it inaehineio'l the class'described, a

the chuck for pushing thecap fromtheeap removing means into 7 the chuck, said spindle raldlng J the chuck in supporting the cap therein, and a ist'eadying supportfor the #spindle when operative.

13. In a machine of the class described, a cap hopper, a liner hopper, an agitator in each hopper, a chute leading from each hopper for feeding the elements therefrom, a slide having a pocket for receiving a liner element from the liner chute and positioning it opposite the open end of the cap, a pusher pin slidable in the slide for ejecting the liner element from the pocket and pushing it into the cap means operable by and during movement of the slide for operating the pusher pin, a second slide having a pocket for receiving the lined cap, a chuck, means for removing the cap from the second slide pocket and positioning it opposite the chuck, a bearing spindle movable axially of the chuck for pushing the cap from the cap removing means into the chuck, said spindle aiding the chuck in supporting the cap therein, and means operating on the exterior of the cap to groove the same.

14-. In a machine of the class described, a cap hopper, a liner hopper, an agitator in each hopper, a chute leading from each hopper for feeding the elements therefrom, a slide having a pocket for receiving a liner element from the liner chute and position ing it opposite the open end of the cap, a pusher slidable in the slide for ejecting the liner element from the pocket and pushing it into the cap, means operable by and during movement of the slide for operating the pusher pin, a second slide having a pocket for receiving the lined cap, a chuck, means for removing the cap from the second slide pocket and positioning it opposite the chuck, a bearing spindle movable axially of the chuck for pushing the cap from the cap removing means into the chuck, said spindle aiding the chuck in supporting the cap therein, means operating on the exterior of the cap to groove the same, and means for ejecting the cap from the chuck after the grooving means and the spindle have been moved to inoperative position.

15. In a machine of the class described, a cap hopper, a liner hopper, an agitator in each hopper, a chute leading from each hopper for feeding the elements therefrom, a slide having a pocket for receiving a liner element from the liner chute and positioning it opposite the open end of the cap, a pusher pin slidable in the slide for ejecting the liner element from the pocket and pushing it into the cap, means operable by and during movement of the slide for operating the pusher pin, a second slide having a pocket for receiving the lined cap, a chuck, means for removing the cap from the second slide pocket and positioning it opposite the chuck, a bearing spindle movable axially of the chuck for pushing the cap from the cap removing means into the chuck, said spindle aiding the chuck in supporting the cap therein, means operating on the exterior of the cap to groove the same, and means for ejecting the cap from the chuck after the grooving means and the spindle have been moved to inoperative position, said ejecting means comprising a normal spring tensioned cap-engaging pin, and means for increasing the spring tension on the pin.

16. In a machine of the class described, a cap hopper, a liner hopper, an agitator in each hopper, a chute leading from each hopper for feeding the elements therefrom, a slide having a pocket for receiving a liner element from the liner chute and positioning it opposite the open end of the cap, a pusher pin slidable in the slide for ejecting the liner element from the pocket and pushing it into the cap, means operable by and during movement of the slide for operating the pusher pin, a second slide having a pocket for receiving the lined cap, a chuck, means for removing the cap from the second slide pocket and positioning it opposite the chuck, a bearing spindle movable axially of the chuck for pushing the cap from the cap removing means into the chuck, said spindle aiding the chuck in supporting the cap therein, means operating on the exterior of .the cap to groove the same, means for ejecting the cap from the chuck after the grooving means and the spindle have been moved to inoperative position, said ejecting means comprising a normal spring-tensioned cap-engaging pin, means for increasing the spring tension of the pin, and a common operating means for the agitators, the slides, the cap-removing means, the spindle, the chuck and the spring-tensioning means.

In testimony whereof I have si ned my name to this specification.

CURT J. ROHLAND. 

